Steven Spielberg Is Directing Roald Dahl's Beloved 'The BFG'

"The BFG" is the latest Roald Dahl book to get the big-screen treatment, and it's enlisted an impressive director: Steven Spielberg.

The Hollywood Reporter writes that Spielberg will take the reins of the project, about a young orphan girl who befriends the titular Big Friendly Giant. Studio DreamWorks has been trying to get a movie adaptation of Dahl's 1982 book (illustrated by Quentin Blake) off the ground since it first acquired the rights in 2011, with directors including John Madden and Chris Columbus attached at one time.

But now, according to THR, Spielberg is "officially committed" to the project, and wants to get it off the ground soon, aiming to start production in early 2015. It helps that "The BFG" has a stable of filmmakers with whom Spielberg has worked before, including longtime collaborator Frank Marshall, who is producing, and screenwriter Melissa Mathison, who also penned the screenplay for "E.T."

Spielberg has added a bunch of new films to his slate in recent months, signing on to helm an adaptation of the novel "The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara," as well as an untitled Cold War project with star Tom Hanks. He may try to fit in one of those before he begins "The BFG," according to THR.

"The BFG" -- which will be live-action -- is expected to land in theaters sometime in 2016.